Sen. Tom Coburn has released his list of amendments to the reconciliation bill. Democrats will try to defeat all the amendments, if possible, to avoid another vote in the House.

But Republicans will make that goal as tough as possible.

So the first amendment Coburn is offering is pretty tough, politically, to disagree with.

It would ban the government from covering erectile dysfunction medication for sex offenders who get their insurance on the exchanges.

While banning the coverage of those drugs would save money, it would also create new policy. And under budget rules, would probably need 60 votes instead of the 51 usually required during budget reconciliation.

Either way, Democrats will probably have to plug their noses and vote against the amendment. Then theyll be on record with the vote.

You can imagine the campaign commercial cue scary music Politician X wants to give Viagra to sex offenders 

The full list of Coburns amendments (hes only one Senator, expect many many more) is below, as released by his office:

1. No Erectile Dysfunction Drugs To Sex Offenders  This amendment would enact recommendations from the Government Accountability Office to stop fraudulent payments for prescription drugs prescribed by dead providers or, to dead patients. This amendment also prohibits coverage of Viagra and other ED medications to convicted child molesters, rapists, and sex offenders, and prohibits coverage of abortion drugs. (Note: the creation of exchanges could allow sex offenders to receive taxpayer-funded Viagra and other ED drugs unless Congress expressly prohibits this action  see additional background attached)

Today, the Louisiana Democratic Party suggested that Senator Tom Coburn expand his proposed amendment to the health care reconciliation bill prohibiting coverage of erectile dysfunction medications to child molesters, rapists and sex offenders to include those who admit or are convicted of prostitution or prostitution-related crimes.

If Senator Coburn believes that federal law should not allow coverage of erectile dysfunction medications to folks whose impulses have led them to break the law, then surely he would agree that anyone who has admitted or been found guilty of involvement with prostitution should not be covered either, said Louisiana Democratic Party spokesman Kevin Franck.

Of course, theres a slight chance that Senator Coburns amendment is simply a partisan ploy aimed at neutering health care reform, Franck said. In which case, our only suggestion to Senator Coburn is to stop playing games and get serious.

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Quiz time, folks: who was Mr. Franck alluding to when he made the above statement?

Gee Zoom, could be a bit more honest about why Tom is offering up this amendment now.

While banning the coverage of those drugs would save money, it would also create new policy. And under budget rules, would probably need 60 votes instead of the 51 usually required during budget reconciliation.

Click to expand...

So while Tom and his fellow other Republicans are now offering up amendments trying to act like patriotic Americans, in reality, all they're doing is playing political games.

Gee Zoom, could be a bit more honest about why Tom is offering up this amendment now.

While banning the coverage of those drugs would save money, it would also create new policy. And under budget rules, would probably need 60 votes instead of the 51 usually required during budget reconciliation.

Click to expand...

So while Tom and his fellow other Republicans are now offering up amendments trying to act like patriotic Americans, in reality, all they're doing is playing political games.

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